Niagara College’s Research & Innovation Division provides solutions for businesses through its four innovation centres; Business & Commercialization Innovation Centre, Food & Beverage Innovation Centre, Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre, and the Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centres.
With funding support from various regional, provincial and federal agencies, students and graduates are hired to work alongside faculty, and experienced staff researchers to assist small and medium sized businesses leap forward in the marketplace.
Products and services offered
The Business & Commercialization Innovation Centre provides services from initial market research to commercialization strategies. Services include market research, business strategies, go-to-market and growth strategies, primary research, media execution, promotional plans, and brand development.
The Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre team specializes in engineering design, 3D technologies, lean manufacturing processes and additive manufacturing. Working with businesses to bring ideas to life, from concept through to developing working prototypes, utilizing leading-edge technology, including equipment and software.
The Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre specializes inv performing growth trials with horticultural crops that evaluate innovationsv and improvements. We have extensive experience in innovations that arevclose to commercialization. Our expertise includes assessing technologies,vproduction practices, packaging, media and pots, pest and disease control approaches and more.
The Food & Beverage Innovation Centre (FBIC) offers a full suite of services to support industry innovation and commercialization of new products and processes. From food & beverage recipe and concept development to shelflife testing, prototyping, and small batch processing, the FBIC works with
industry to meet their needs.